News - Page 3 of 7 - Immigration Institute of the Bay Area

Long-time Napa resident achieves dream of citizenship

Octavio came to the United States from Mexico in his early twenties, in search of opportunity. For nearly thirty years, he has built a life for himself and his family in Napa, where he works for Duckhorn Vineyards.

Staff Spotlight, IIBA’s New Legal Director, Catherine Seitz

One of Catherine’s first jobs in immigration was at the International Institute in 1991. Now with nearly thirty years of experience in immigration law, she’s returned to IIBA as Legal Director, mentoring IIBA staff as they take on deportation defense cases.

Keeping Families Together

Graciela and her two young daughters, Julianna, 12 and Bethenny, 6, waited anxiously at San Jose Airport in August 2017. Efrain, Graciela’s husband and the daughters’ father, had left the country a week earlier to complete his interview at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to become a U.S. permanent resident.

IIBA Clients: Vanessa and Diego

Vanessa and Diego have always seen themselves as Americans. They were both brought to the U.S. from Mexico when they were very young. They grew up here. They went to school here. They met each other and fell in love here. They got married here, and they had their children here, Diego Jr., 6, and Carlos, 3.

Stanford University Students Team Up with IIBA to Inform the Community about the 2020 Census

Every person counts. That is why Stanford University Spanish Language Professor Vivian Brates and a group of her students partnered with IIBA to conduct outreach to nearly 1,300 people to ensure they have the help they need to overcome any barriers to completing the census.

As a permanent resident, Gabriela feels more secure

IIBA's Napa office helped Gabriela obtain permanent residency through a petition from her daughter, who serves in the U.S. Navy. Now with more security and freedom to travel, Gabriela visited family she hadn't seen in almost three decades.

A father, detained by ICE, was reunited with his wife and young children with the help of IIBA staff

A few months ago, the International Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), a participant in the North Bay’s rapid response network, was alerted that ICE had taken a father from his wife and young daughter and infant son. He was being detained without bond, placing him in detention and causing extreme financial stress for his family due to his loss of income.

A Family Reunited

With citizenship, Celedonio and Amanda have been able to travel more freely, taking medical missions to Nicaragua, where they chaperone medical and nursing students who provide aid in rural villages. There Celedonio uses his skills as a chemical engineer to teach communities about renewable energy.

With IIBA’s help, Odalia became a citizen

Since becoming a citizen, Odalia says she feels much safer. “I feel that this country is a part of my life,” Odalia says. “So it had been a wish of mine to become a citizen.” With IIBA’s help, Odalia became a citizen. from IIBA on Vimeo. Support immigrant families by donating today.